Loom stop data collection system

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a system for conveying information from a plurality of stations, particularly stations associated with textile machines such as looms, to a recorder such as a human operator or a computer. A plurality of address lines connect each textile machine station to each other textile machine station and carry coded address signals, each address line carrying a digit of a binary number representing the particular station chosen for interrogation, and at least a single return line connects each station to each other station and to the recorder to convey information gathered at the station to the recorder. In one embodiment, address signals designating a particular loom station are sent by an interrogator to each loom and the loom so chosen by the address signals responds by applying electrical information signals containing information on the condition of the chosen loom to the return line or lines. The information signals on the return line or lines are sequentially examined and the interrogation ended if certain information is present.

United States Patent 1 1 Upshur Apr. 17, 1973 [54] LOOM STOP DATACOLLECTION 3,522,588 8/1970 Clarke, Jr. et a1 ..340/147 SYSTEM PrimaExaminer-Donald J. Yusko [75] Inventor. Littleton Upshur, Greensboro,NC. Anomg cushman, Darby & Cushman [73] Assignee: Burlington Industries,Inc., Green- Show, NC [57] ABSTRACT Filedi 1970 The invention relates toa system for conveying infor- [2]] AppL No: 23,943 mation from aplurality of stations, particularly stations associated with textilemachines such as looms,

Related US. Application Data to a recorder such as a human operator or acom- [63] continuatiomimpan of Ser No 746 962 y 23 puter. A plurality ofaddress lines connect each textile 1968 abandoned machine station toeach other textile machine station and carry coded address signals, eachaddress line car- 52 US. Cl. ..340/147 11, 346/33 R tying a digit of a nry m er epresenting the par- [511 Int. Cl. ..H04q 9/00 ticular stationchosen for interrogation and at least a 58 Field of Search ..340/147;346/33, Single rem"! line mums each to each other 346/34 station and tothe recorder to convey information gathered at the station to therecorder. in one embodi- 5 References Cited ment, address signalsdesignating a particular loom station are sent by an interrogator toeach loom and UNITED STATES PATENTS the loom so chosen by the addresssignals responds by 3,264,613 8/1966 Stolle ..340 223 x applymg elecmcalSignals cmtaining 3,340,537 9/1967 Long et aL "346/34 formation on theconditlon of the chosen loom to the 3 372,379 3 19 3 c n et 3| 340 72 5return line or lines. The information signals on the 3,396,379 8/1968Chapman et a]... 340/ 147 return line or lines are sequentially examinedand the 3, 4, 05 1 /1 8 O'B i n e 0/ 147 interrogation ended if certaininformation is present. 3,4l7,9l6 12/1968 Brockel et al. 346/34 X3,445,813 5/ 1969 Price ..340/150 24 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures I LOOMPATENTEUAPR 1 71975 SHEET l; of 6 ORNEYS QQIAW vKQQN SQQV? LOOM STOPDATA COLLECTION SYSTEM DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART AND SUMMARY OF THEINVENTION This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser.No. 746,962, filed July 23, 1968, for Loom Stop Data Collection System,now abandoned.

The invention relates to a system for conveying information from aplurality of stations to a recorder.

In any factory with a number of independently operating machines andparticularly in a textile mill it is desirable to be constantly aware ofwhich machines are in operation, as well as which machines are not. Thisknowledge enables the factory mill supervisors to gauge the futurematerial requirements of each respective machine as well as to judgeaccurately present and future overall and individual outputs. In atextile mill, this information is especially important since the pay ofthe workers operating the machines is usually related to the amount ofmaterial produced and this can be determined from the total operatingtime of each machine since the output of each machine as a function oftime is known. Also, in the event of stoppage it is desirable to knowthe cause thereof so that the proper repairmen can be dispatched asrequired, workloads rearranged to compensate for the break-down, etc.

In the past, pick counters mounted on each individual textile machinehave been employed to record the number of loom running cycles. However,such devices provide data which must be manually and periodically readand which does not supply an immediate indication of loom stoppage northe reason thereof.

Other systems in the past have utilized an interrogation system wherebya loom is ordered to reply by signals sent from an interrogator to theloom and the reply information then conveyed back to the interrogator ona number of return lines which connect just that machine and theinterrogator. .One such system is described in the Adams et al. US.Pat., No. 3,226,726.

In contrast, the present invention relates to an information conveyingsystem whereby all of the machines are connected to each of a number ofinterrogation or address lines and all of the machines to a number ofreturn lines. Utilizing the same interrogation and return lines for allof the machines greatly reduces the number of wires required to conveyinformation, since only one return wire is required for each type ofinformation being returned to the interrogator and since a plurality ofaddress lines can serve a much larger number of machines. This systemalso displays flexibility in that the additional conditions can be addedwithout altering the basic interrogation system, since each additionalcondition sensed merely requires the addition of a single return wireconnecting to all of the looms and the interrogator. Also the system canbe readily expanded to serve more looms simply by the addition of additional interrogation lines, each line added roughly doubling the numberof looms which can be handled. In addition, all of the address lines andreturn lines can be grouped in a single shielded cable so that signaldistortions in the normally electrically noisy textile machine orfactory environment are minimized.

In one embodiment, a multi-level addressing system is employed whereby ahuman operator or computer first addresses a master station havingassociated with it a number of individual data stations. The masterstation thus addressed then enables a second master station or theassociated data stations to receive a second address identifying amaster or data station among those associated with the first masterstation. In this fashion and individual data station is identified by asystem requiring fewer and simpler components than otherwise required.

This invention can be employed with a human operator or a computer orother recorder. When used with a computer, the computer then chooses themachines to be interrogated, receives the raw data, and works it intoany form which is convenient. A computer also can interrogate a verylarge number of machines at a frequency which is great enough so thatthe operation and conditions of all the looms at any given time iseffectively available. In addition, the computer can provide valuableinformation and predictions such as an accurate prediction as to whenthe warp beam will run out on each loom thereby minimizing time due towarp stops.

The present invention also relates to a system whereby the loom stationsnotify the computer or human operator when stoppage occurs andcommunicate the cause thereof. In one embodiment a loom station suppliesits binary address to a computer via the interrogation or address lineswhen stoppage occurs and then applies a signal to one of a number ofreturn lines indicating the reason for the stoppage. When the stoppageends, the address is once again supplied to the address lines withoutaccompanying signals on the return lines.

In the specific embodiment discussed herein, the four common causes ofloom stoppage which account for the vast majority of loom stops fillingstops, warp stops, warp out stops, and mechanical breakdowns arechecked. In addition the sensing apparatus associated with detectingfilling and warp stops has the memory capability of retaininginformation so that it can be determined if a filling or warp stop hasoccurred between interrogations regardless of whether or not it hasended before the interrogation.

Also, the present invention can be used with a manual interrogationsystem and includes a method of sequentially examining the loom datareceived on the return lines and logical apparatus for performing thisfunction. By this method each of the looms is checked sequentially todetermine whether it is in operation and if it is, the interrogator,either human or computer, passes on to check the next loom. Only if themachine is not operating are the lines which carry information on thecause of stoppage sequentially checked. In the detailed embodiment, thewarp out stop sensor line is checked first, followed by the filling stopsensor line and the warp stop sensor line. The filling upon discovery ofthat fact. However, if none of the three causes is determined to be thecause of stoppage, then the stoppage is assumed to be due to mechanicalfailure and is recorded as such.

Other objects and advantages of the system will be apparent from readingthe following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG.1 shows a loom control andinterrogation system for producing address signals identifying the loomchosen for interrogation and for receiving information signals from theloom;

FIG. 2 shows a loom station which responds to an address signal byapplying information signals to return lines;

FIG. 3 shows a card of recording loom information;

FIG. 4 shows an interrogating system having a loom station with logicelements arranged to apply signals to the return lines;

FIG. 5 shows a logic sequencing network for dealing with the informationon the return lines;

FIG. 6 shows another interrogating system whereby the loom stationnotifies the computer when stoppage occurs;

FIG. 7 shows yet another interrogating system whereby the loom stationnotifies the computer when stoppage occurs;

FIG. 8 shows a multi-level address system for addressing a loom chosenfor interrogation; and

FIG. 9 shows a master station for use in the system of FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Reference is now made to FIG. 1which shows a loom control and interrogation mechanism 10 which can beused by a human operator to manually identify and query any one of anumber of loom stations, such as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, which thenresponds by returning information relating to various conditions of theloom to the mechanism 10. Ten address lines emanate from the controlmechanisms 10 and are labeled 11-20 inclusive. Each of these addresslines connects to all of the loom stations which can be interrogated,and it is along these ten address lines that signals are sentidentifying the loom chosen for interrogation. In this embodiment, eachof the looms is represented by a binary number and each of the tenaddress lines carries a digit of that number so that, with 10 lines,control mechanism 10 can handle 1,023 different looms for other textilemachines. Of course, the system can be simply expanded by addingadditional address lines, each line added roughly doubling the number oflooms which can be interrogated from one control mechanism 10.

Since the station address to be sent down the address lines lines 11-20in this embodiment is a binary number, this address can be encoded bysimply closing those among the switches 21-30 on the lines on which onedigit, for example, a binary one is to be sent, so that these lines canbe connected to a storage battery and opening those among the switches21-30 on the lines on which the other digit, for example a binary zero,it to be sent so that the potential on these lines will remainunchanged. In FIG. 1, for example, swtiches 22, 24, 25 and 29 are shownclosed so that if the binary number of the loom chosen is read from leftto right the station which will be interrogated by encoding thiscombination of open and closed switches will be 0101100010 or station354 in base 10. Of course, a voltage pulse on the address lines can justas well represent binary zero and a lack of such pulses a binary one.The address lines can also be rearranged in any convenient order.However, for this embodiment it will be assumed that the presence of apulse on any address line represents a binary one, and the absence of apotential of zero. After the proper switches, in this example switches22, 24, 25 and 29, have been closed, the on-off switch 40 is closed sothat the positive terminal of the battery 42 is then connected to thelines down which a binary one travels and the binary address so formedon lines 1 1-20 travels to all of the loom stations. The other ends oflines 11-20 remote from mechanism 10 of course are connected to battery42 or a similar source of potential or ground so that a pulse can movedown the proper lines.

The information relating to operation of the chosen loom then returns tothe loom control mechanism 10 down the lines 44, 46, 48 and 50 in theform of a potential which causes one or more of the light bulbs 52, 54,56 and 58 to light provided certain conditions exist at the loom chosen.As described below, the lighting of these respective bulbs individuallyor in combination indicates that the loom is running, a warp out hasoccurred, a warp stop has occurred, or a filling stop is in progress.Although these few loom conditions comprise the vast majority of causesof loom stoppage, they are merely representative of the many possibleloom conditions which can be sensed. The lighting of the four bulbs inFIG. 1 results because one side of the bulbs 52, 54, 56 and 58 ispermanently connected to the negative terminal of the battery 42 and theother side of thebulbs is connected to the positive terminal of battery42 or a similar source of potential when the above conditions aresensed.

The ten address lines which enable the mechanism 10 to handle 1,023looms and the four return lines, together with any other lines such asmay be added to convey information back to the control mechanism 10 orincrease the number of looms interrogated, can be grouped in a singlemulti-conductor cable which then connects to each of the loom stations.Since the electrical environment of textile machines can be very noisy,shielding of this cable is desirable so that signals can be sent andreceived without substantial distortion.

Reference is now made to FIG. 2 which shows a loom station 60 with tenlines 61-70 inclusive attached respectively to the lines 11-20 so thatthe binary address sent from the control mechanism 10 down lines 11-20enters the loom number gate 71. The gate 71 responds to the addresscarried on lines 11-20 with a given output signal only when the binarynumber received on lines 61-70 inclusive corresponds exactly to thebinary address of the loom. One loom station, and only one loom station,responds to each address signal. This given output signal of the gate 71can, for example, be a positive pulse, a high or low potential or anyother suitable signal. Of course, if the binary address received in theloom number gate 71 does not correspond to the address of the loomstation 60, then the given output signal is not produced and that loomstation 60 does not respond.

This given output signal which indicates that the loom station 60 hasbeen chosen and must respond is then applied to three logic gates, and awarp out switch via output line 72. If the loom running switch 73 whichrepresents a sensor is closed indicating that the loom is running whenthe given output signal appears on line 72, the loom running gate 74then produces a suitable output signal on the loom running output line75 which is then passed to line 44. Of course, the loom running switch73, as shown in FIG. 2, is merely representative of a wide variety ofelectrical signal producing means which can be used to indicate that theloom is running. Similary, the loom running gate 74 represents a varietyof logical devices which are capable of reproducing an output which is afunction of a plurality of inputs.

Similarly, the filling stop switch 76 may be of any type suitable toindicate that a filling stop is in progress or has occurred since thelast interrogation. The filling switch 76 is connected as an input tothe filling stop gate 77 along with the given output signal of the loomnumber gate 71 on line 72 so that the gate 77 produces a suitableelectrical signal when the loom station 60 is being interrogated and theswitch 76 indicates a filling stop is in progress. This signal is thenapplied to the filling stop output line 78 which is connected to returnline 48.

The warp stop sensor also is represented by a switch 79. This sensor maybe comprised of drop wires attached to the warp threads as discussedbelow or may be any other suitable type. The switch 79 then when closed,representing that a warp stop is in progress, produces a suitableelectrical signal which is then applied as an input to the warp stopgate 80 along with the given output signal of the loom number gate 71 online 72 resulting in an appropriate electrical signal on the line 81which is communicated to the return line 50.

The manually or automatically operated warp out switch 82 serves toproduce a signal indicating that the warp beam is being changed. Thisswitch 82 also may be of any suitable type, including automatic, toproduce an electrical signal indicating a warp out stop which is thenapplied to line 83 and then to line 46.

The gates 74, 77 and 80 can also be used to retain information so that,if the sensors sense a condition which begins after one interrogationand ends before the next, when interrogated the outputs of therespective gates 74, 77 and 80 actually indicate that the condition hasoccurred since the last interrogation. A similar gate can also be usedwith the warp out sensor if desired, but such a gate is not usuallynecessary since the duration of warp out stops is normally greater thanthe interval between interrogations.

Reference is now made to FIG. 3 which shows a card which can be used bya human operator to manually record the operation of each loom utilizingthe control mechanism shown in FIG. 1. Alternatively, automaticrecording means such as an electrical recorder or counter can be used tomechanically perform the same function and a computer can also be usedas a recorder to correlate the inforamtion as described in connectionwith FIG. 4.

First, the proper switches among switches 2130 must be closed to createthe binary pattern identifying the loom chosen to be interrogated, asdescribed above. Then the on-off switch 40 is closed to send the addressdown lines 11-20 to each loom control station such as station 60 in FIG.2. The loom station chosen then responds as described in connection withFIG. 2 and some or none of the light bulbs 52, 54, 56, and 58 will beilluminated.

If the loom chosen is running, then the light bulb 52 will light and thetotal running time as noted on the card in FIG. 3 can be increased bythe time elapsed since the last interrogation. Next, the previous entryin the IS LOOM RUNNING" block is erased and the YES block is checked.Since the loom is running it is unnecessary to check any of the otherlights since they all represent non-running conditions, and the nextloom in order can be interrogated.

If, however, the loom running light bulb 52 does not flash, the IS LOOMRUNNING block is also observed. If the notation therein indicates thatthe loom was running during the last interrogation then the stop hasoccurred in the meantime. If, however the loom was not in operationduring the last interrogation, it may be assumed that the cause ofstoppage has not changed and the next loom in line can be interrogated.

Should the light bulb 52 fail to light and the loom was running duringthe last interrogation, the warp out stop light bulb 54 is nextobserved. If the warp out stop light bulb 54 is illuminated, the totalwarp out time is increased by the time elapsed since the lastinterrogation and any response from the remaining unchecked lamps can besafely ignored. However, if the warp out bulb 54 is not lit then thefilling stop light 56 is checked and if lit then the new stop isrecorded as a filling stop so that the number of filling stops on thecard in FIG. 3 is increased by one. Next, if the filling stop bulb 56 isnot lit the warp stop light bulb 58 is checked and if the warp stop bulb58 flashes, the new stop is recorded a warp stop and the number of warpstops is increased by one. Finally, if none of the four lights flash thestop is assumed to be a mechanical stop and is noted as such.

The card also contains areas wherein other useful information such asloom number, style of material being produced, etc. can also berecorded. The number of allowable warp, filling and mechanical stops canbe recorded and constantly compared with the actual number.

At the end of every shift, the raw data on the cards can then be workedby machine or human to produce statistics setting forth overall weavingloom efficiency, as well as the efficiency of a given style, weave set,loom, or other classification. A list of those looms having excessivestops and the reason therefor can also be compiled. The used cards foreach loom can then be filed to make a permanent record and replaced witha new set of blank cards to be used for the next shift.

Reference is now made to FIG. 4 which discloses an' interrogating systemincluding a particular loom station circuit which can be used inconnection with a computer system as well as with a manually operatedsystem. In this embodiment lines 91-100 exclusive, each of which servesto carry a digit of the binary address signal in the same manner asdescribed in connection with FIG. 1, emanate from a computer 88 whichserves to automatically choosen the loom or other textile machine to beinterrogated and to send out the proper binary interrogation signalidentifying it. The computer then receives the information on loomconditions via return lines 102, 104, 106 and 108, each of whichconnects to all of the loom stations and to the computer via a logicsequential circuit 89 which is adapted to perform the sequencingfunction of examining the return lines described in connection with useof the card of FIG. 3. It will, of course, be understood that the loomstations 110, 112 and 114 shown in FIG. 4 can also be interrogated bythe control mechanism 10 disclosed in connection with FIG. 1 as well asby the computer 88.

The computer 88 although preferably a general purpose digital computermay be of any suitable type and may be analog as well as digital innature. Furthermore, as represented in FIG. 4, the computer 88 isintended to include whatever interface circuitry is needed or desired inconnection with a particular model or kind of computer. Although in thisembodiment the computer 88 is shown attached to three loom stations 110,112, and 114, it will, of course, be obvious that since there areinterrogation lines the computer can interrogate at least 1,023 textilemachines without adding additional lines and that more lines can besimply added to accommodate more machines.

The operation of the loom station 110 will now be described in detail.The address signal which is sent along the input lines 91-100 is broughtinto the loom station 110 on lines 121-130 inclusive. Since each ofthese lines represents a binary digit, some of the lines will bring abinary one into station 110 and others a binary zero. For the purposesof describing the operation of the loom station 110 it will be assumedthat a high voltage is identified with a binary one and a low voltagewith a binary zero. Each of the lines 121-130 is then applied to one ofthe inverting circuits 131-140, respectively, so that each digit or itsinversion on all address lines 91-100 is available either on the inputor output of the inverters 131-140. A number of switches 141-150 canthen be manually or automatically connected to the input or the outputof an inverter so that when the address sent down lines 91-100corresponds with the address of loom station 110, the lines 151-160which are then connected to the switches 141-150 all will carry apositive high voltage representing a binary one. In FIG. 4, switches142, 145, 147 and 149 are connected to the inputs of the respectiveinverters and switches 141, 143, 144, 146, 148 and 150 to the outputs sothat the address of the loom read from left to right 0100101010 ornumber 298 in base 10.

The signals on lines 151-160 are then applied to a NAND gate 161 whichhas a low output potential state only when all of the inputs are high.This condition is fulfilled only when the address of the loom station110 corresponds with the address chosen by the computer 88 and sentalong lines 91-100. Since in this embodiment an eight input NAND gate isused, three diodes 162, 163 and 164 are utilized to form an AND gatewith three of the lines 158, 159, and 160, and the output of this gateapplied as a single input to the NAND gate 161.

In this embodiment, the loom station 110 is capable of detecting fourdifferent and common conditions on a loom. The system is not intended tobe limited to these conditions or to a loom and many other conditionscan be sensed or additional information on loom conditions relayed tologic circuit 89 and the computer 88 by merely adding a new return wirefor each new condition. Similarly, the system can be used equally wellto sense a variety of other conditions on a variety of textile and othermachines. However, these four conditions loom running, warp stop,filling stop and warp out stop represent the most useful and easilysensed information in a loom interrogation system.

First, when interrogated the loom station 110 is adapted to sense and soinform the computer 88 if the loom is operating. In this embodiment,this function is accomplished by a sensor 165 which is mounted adjacentbut separated from a gear 166 which rotates only when the machine isoperating. Since almost all textile machines, and indeed all similarmachines, have such a rotating gear, sensor 165 can be readily used andreadily attached to many different machines. Furthermore, since suchgears are usually covered and inaccessible, the sensing apparatus isprotected from tampering by textile workers and from accidental damage.Furthermore, since the sensor 165 responds only to the gear movement andis normally mounted quite close to the gear 166, it cannot be easilyfooled, for example, by grounding with a screwdriver or the like, sothat it is virtually impossible for anyone to delude the computer 88 ormanual operator into thinking the loom is running when it is not. Ofcourse, the invention is not limited to any particular type of sensorand other types of sensors such as photoelectric, capacitive, ultrasonicand others can be used to sense whether the loom is operating.

The sensor 165 shown in FIG. 4 more particularly comprises a probe 170mounted adjacent the gear 166, and a coil 172 associated with probe 170.This probe 170 serves to continuously sense the distance between itselfand the gear 166, producing an electric signal which is a function ofthis distance. Since this distance is constantly changing when the gear166 is in motion and the loom operating, a changing current is producedwithin the coil 172 whenever the gear 166 is in motion. This changingcurrent produced by the motion of the gear 166 is then rectified anddoubled by diodes 174 and 176 and capacitors 178 and 180 so that adirect current voltage is applied between the base and emitter oftransistor 184. Since this base emitter voltage is negative, the NPNtransistor 184 remains cut off as long as the gear 166 is turning.

Accordingly, while the gear 166 is turning, the collector of transistor184 will be at the potential V since no current can flow through thecutoff transistor 184. This collector voltage is then applied as a firstinput to the NAND gate 190, the potential V representing a binary one.However, should the gear 166 cease rotating, no further changing currentis produced in the coil 1'72 and the transistor 184 conducts because thebase emitter voltage becomes positive due to the voltage dividingresistors 191 and 192. When this transition from non-conductive toconductive state takes place the input to the NAND gate slips to a lowpotential approaching ground potential, a potential representing abinary zero.

The output of the NAND gate 161, which is low representing a binary zeroonly if loom station 110 has been chosen to be interrogated, is appliedto a NAND gate 200 along with the positive potential V which representsa binary one. Therefore, while station 110 is being interrogated, andthe output of NAND gate 161 accordingly drops to a low potentialrepresenting a binary zero, the output of the NAND gate 200 assumes ahigh potential representing a binary one. The output of gate 200 is thenapplied to NAND gate 190 along with collector voltage of transistor 184as described above so that the output of NAND gate 190 duringinterrogation is low representing a binary zero only if the loom isrunning. While station 110 is not being interrogated, the output of gate190 is, of course continuously high.

The output of NAND gate 190 is then applied to the loom running returnline 108 via diode 202 and the information carried to the logic circuit89 and then to the computer 88 as described below. If the signaldetected on line 108 indicates to logic circuit 89 that the loom isrunning, then the logic circuit 89 provides a signal to the computer 88indicating that condition on line 275 and disregards the other lines,just as the human operator of the apparatus in FIG. 1 ignores the otherlights if the loom running bulb 52 is lit.

However, if a low signal representing that the loom is running is notreceived along line 108 the logic circuit 89 sequentially checks theother lines to determine the reason for the stop. While in theparticular embodiment shown in FIG. 4 a warp out stop is checked firstfollowed by a filling and a warp stop, no limitation as the order isintended nor required. If desired the conditions can be checked in anyorder. The operation of the logic circuit 89 is described in furtherdetail in connection with the discussion of FIG. 5 below.

When station 110 is interrogated, line 106 assumes a low potential if awarp stop which takes place when a warp thread breaks has occurred sincethe last interrogation. Frequently, a drop wire is associated with eachwarp thread so that should any of the threads break the drop wire falls,completing a circuit which then signals that a warp thread has brokenand causes the machine to cease operating. This warp stop sensor isrepresented in FIG. 4 by a switch 206 which is closed when a warp stopis in progress.

The closing of switch 206 completes a circuit path through the coil ofsolenoid 208, causing it to pull in and initiate a series of mechanicalactions which result in the looms being stopped. The switch 212 is sopositioned on the loom that it is closed whenever the operating lever,or shipper handle, is in the running position. Switch 206, solenoid 208,and switch 212 are parts of the conventional warp stop motion of a loom.For the purpose of sensing the operation of the warp stop motion, arelay 214 is connected in parallel with solenoid 208 so that, should theswitch 206 close, current will also pass through relay 214, shiftingswitch 216 from a high potential at V to the low potential of ground.

Switch 216 is connected to one inout of a J-K flipflop 217 which shiftsits output along line 218 from a first to a second state whenever theswitch 216 is connected to the low potential, for example ground. Forthe purpose of explanation, it will be assumed that the first state is alow potential and the second state is a high potential. After shiftingfrom a low to a high output potential the flip-flop 217 remains in ahigh potential output state until it is reset as described below.

The output of flip-flop 217 along line 218 is then applied to the NANDgate 224, along with the output of the NAND gate 200, so that the outputof NAND gate 224 is low representing a binary zero, only when station110 is being interrogated and when the flip-flop 217 indicates that awarp stop has occurred since flip-flop 217 was reset last during thelast interrogation. The output of NAND gate 224 is then applied to thewarp stop return line 106 via diode 226.

The system is also adapted to determine if the stop which the highpotential on line 108 indicated is taking place is a filling stop. Afilling stop is sensed in this embodiment by the closing of switch 230which then connects the low input of ground to the input of the flipflop232 which operates in the same manner as flip-flop 217, shiftingits'output along line 240 from a low to a high output whenever switch230 is connected to a low potential. This switch 230 may, for example,be a reed or similar switch inserted into a hole in a metal block whichis then mounted on a loom. A magnetic member 234 is then attached to amovable member of the loom (not shown) so that, when the loom is stoppedfor filling, the magnetic member 234 is automatically positioned so asto cause the switch 230 to close and ground the input of flip-flop 232.This filling stop arrangement is fully described in connection withpatent application, U.S. Pat. No. 3,437,799 entitled Loom Stop Counter,filed Feb. 10,!967.

When the switch 230 is closed, then the output of flip-flop 232 alongline 240 assumes a high voltage representing a binary one and, remainsin that high potential output state until the flip-flop 232 is reset asdescribedbelow so that, regardless of whether or not the switch 230opens after closing, the flip-flop 232 remembers any filling stops whichoccur between resets.

The output of flip-flop 232 is then applied to the NAND gate 250 alongwith the output of the NAND gate 200 so that the output of NAND gate 250along line 252 is low only if a filling stop has occurred and station isbeing interrogated. The output of NAND gate 250 is then applied to retunline 104 via diode 260 so that a low potential on line 104 indicatesthat a filling stop has occurred since the last interrogation.

The flip-flops 217 and 232 are reset, shifting from the high to the lowoutput states, whenever the reset inputs on lines 261 and 262respectively, assume a low voltage. Resetting is accomplished duringeach interrogation since lines 261 and 262 are connected to the outputof NAND gate 161 through a delay circuit comprising the capacitor 263and resistor 264 so that the flip-flops 217 and 232 are reset after theinformation has been sent on return lines 102, 104, 106 and 108.

Flip-flops can also be added to retain information on warp out stopinformation if desired. However since warp out stops are of relativelylong duration in this embodiment they are manually sensed by the loomoperator who then closes the double pole single throw switch 265.Alternatively, automatic apparatus for performing this function can beused and a wide variety of switches substituted for switch 265.

In this embodiment the human operator manually closes the switch 265which is represented as two ganged switches 269 and 270. The closing ofswitch 270 connects the output of NAND gate 161 to reply line 162through isolating diode 272. When the output of gate 161 goes low as aresult of the stations correct address being received, this lowpotential is applied as an input to line 102, indicating that a warp outstop is in progress. The closing of the switch 269 also serves toprevent anyone from operating the loom after the warp out stop has endedwithout manually returning switch 265 to its initial position. Closingswitch 269 completes a circuit path through the coil of solenoid 208causing it to pull in and initiate the same actions as in the samemanner as occur when switch 206 closes and resulting in the stopping ofthe loom described above. Current also flows through relay 214 so that awarp stop is indicated on line 106 as described above, but the logiccircuit 89 or human operator disregards signals on line 106 if a signalis received on line 102.

Although NAND gates have been used in the detailed embodiment shown inFIG. 4, no such limitation is required. or intended. Any type of logicalsystem can be used, including AND gates, relays or any other logicaldevices. However, NAND gates have a number of desirable propertiesincluding their ability to be used as universal logical blocks, theiravailability, and their ability to drive a number of other blocksdirectly, which make them especially desirable and useful.

Reference is now made to FIG. which discloses detailed circuitry of thelogic circuit 189 shown in FIG. 4, for performing the sequencingfunction performed by the human operator as described with the use ofthe card shown in FIG. 3. Line 108 which is at a low potential providedthe loom is running is attached directly to the input of a NAND or othergate 273 which serves to invert the signal on line 108. The output ofgate 273 is then attached to a monostable flip-flop 274 which respondsto a high potential on its input by producing short pulse of voltagewhich is carried to the computer or manual operator on line 275. If thevoltage applied to flip-flop 274 is high, causing flip-flop 274 toproduce a short pulse, none of the other lines need be logicallyconsidered, since the loom is running.

The output of inverter 273 is then applied as one input to a NAND gate276 via line 277 so that line 277 is at a low potential if the loom isnot running. The other input to the NAND gate 276 is the warp out returnline 102 which assumes a low potential output state only if the warp outsensing apparatus, which in FIG. 4 consists of a manual switch 265,indicates that a warp out stop is in progress. The inputs to the NANDgate 276 will be both at a low potential representing a binary zero onlyif a warp out stop is detected as being in progress and the loom isdetected as not operating. The output of NAND gate 276 is then appliedto another monostable flip-flop 278 so that the flip-flop 278 produces ashort voltage pulse on the line 279 only when the output of gate 276assumes a high potential representing a binary one. Therefore, a signalis produced on the warp out line 279 only if a warp out stop is detectedand the loom is detected as not operatmg.

Next the filling stop return line 104 is checked to determine if afilling stop has occurred since the last interrogation. A filling stopcan be indicated only if a pulse is not sent on lines 275 or 279. Thefilling stop line 104 is applied as a first input to the NAND gate 280along with the output of gate 273 which represents the inverted voltagesignal from line 108 and the output of NAND gate 282 which representsthe inverted signal from line 102. All three signals to the NAND gate280 will be at a low potential representing a binary zero only when afilling stop is sensed, the loom is not running, and no warp out stop isin progress, since signal on line 108 is high only if the loom is notrunning, the input to NAND gate 280 on line 283 is low only when a warpout is not occurring and the signal on line 104 is low only when afilling stop is occurring. The output of NAND gate 280 is then appliedto a monostable flip-flop 284 via line 285 so that a voltage pulseappears on line 286 which is then conveyed to the computer or humanoperator if a filling stop has occurred and only after the first twological conditions loom not running and warp out stop not occurring havebeen satisfied.

After lines 108, 102 and 104 have been logically examined, the warp stopcondition is checked. An output pulse is produced on line 290 providedthat a warp stop is sensed and none of the other three conditions havebeen. The NAND gate 292 has four inputs line 106 which assumes a lowpotential representing a binary zero only when a warp stop is inprogress, line 293 which is the inversion of the signal on line 108 sothat line 293 carries a low potential only when the loom is not running,line 294 which is the inversion of the signal on line 102 and whichlikewise carries a low potential signal only when no warp out hasoccurred since the last interrogation, and line 295 which carries theinversion of the signal on line 104 and which carries a low potentialsignal only when a filling stop has not occurred since the lastinterrogation. The output of NAND gate 292 is then applied to monostableflip-flop 296 along line 297. The application of a high potential signalto flip-flop 296 then produces an output pulse on line 290 indicatingthat a warp stop is in progress.

If none of the above three causes for stoppage is detected and the loomhas ceased operating, then a voltage pulse appears on line 298 which, byprocess of elimination, indicates a mechanical breakdown. The NAND gate299 then has four inputs each of which represents the inverted signal onone of the lines 102, 104, 106, and 108. Since the potential of allthese lines will be high if the loom is not running, a warp out stop isnot in progress, a filling stop has not occurred, and a warp stop hasnot occurred, then all the inputs to NAND gate 299 will be at a lowpotential representing a binary zero when a mechanical failure occurs.The output of NAND gate 299 on line 301 then assumes a high potentialcausing the monostable flip-flop 302 to produce a voltage pulse whichtravels on line 298 to the computer 188 or human operator.

It is also possible to perform the same logical operations in a numberof other ways. For example, the computer 188 can be given a set ofinstructions which it then follows to perform the logical sequencingfunction described. Alternatively, circuitry within each loom station orwithin the computer interface can also be used to perform the functionof logic circuit 189.

Reference is now made to FIG. 6 which describes another embodiment ofthe invention whereby each loom station signals the computer only in theevent that the loom stops. The computer or manual operator thus becomesa passive rather than active element in the system, since no sequentialinterrogation of the looms takes place. Furthermore, since during anygiven period far more looms will be running than not, a great amount ofcomputer time can be saved by merely having the loom station notify thecomputer if it has ceased operating and indicate the cause of stoppage.

Since it is highy improbable that more than one loom will attempt tonotify the computer at the same time, there is no necessity to deal withthe possibility of simultaneous information on the lines from more thanone loom. The information will be conveyed in a few microseconds so thatany confusion will occur very infrequently. However, should it bedesirable to prepare for this eventuality, information retaining meanscan be associated with the respective loom stations to hold informationuntil the respective lines are clear.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, lines 311-320 inclusive, carry theaddress of the loom station in the same way as described in connectionwith FIGS. I-4 and lines 311-320 connect to each respective loomstation. Similarly, return lines 321, 322 and 323 return information tothe computer 324 in the same manner as lines 102, 104, 106 and 108, andalso are connected to all of the other loom stations. Although onlystations 325, 326, and 327 are shown, it is, of course, obvious that thesystem can be used with many more looms.

The system shown in FIG. 6 differs from that shown in FIGS. 1-4 in thatinstead of responding to an interrogation signal which corresponds tothe address of the loom, a loom station responds to a stoppage byapplying its address to the address lines 311-320 to indicate that theloom has stopped operating and further supplies information signals tothe respective return lines 321-324 to indicate the cause of stoppage.When the stoppage has ended the loom station once again applies itsaddress to the address lines 311-320 to indicate stoppage has ended.

The operation of loom station 325 will now be detailed. As described inconnection with FIG. 4, the loom running sensor 330, which, for example,operates by sensing the motion of a gear which rotates only duringoperation, produces an electrical signal which indicates whether theloom is running or not. Similarly filling stop sensor 332, warp stopsensor 334 and warp out sensor 336 produce electrical signals when theseconditions are sensed. For the purposes of explanation it will beassumed that the signals produced are bilevel potential signals but nosuch limitation is intended nor required.

An amplifer circuit 340 serves to amplify the output of the sensor 330and to produce a first output state when the sensor 330 detects motionand a second output state when it does not. Similarly, lines 342, 344,and 346 assume a first output state when respectively a filling stop isin progress, a warp stop is occurring and a warp out stop is occurringand a second output state when they are not. These conditions may besensed in the manner shown in FIG. 4 or by any other suitable means. Theoutput of the amplifier 340 is then applied to a logic gate 350 alongwith the signal on line 342 which indicates whether a filling stop is inprogress, so that the logic gate 350 is enabled and produces a signal online 352 only when the filling stop sensor 332 detects a filling stopand the loom running sensor 330 indicates the loom is not operating. Theoutput of gate 350 on line 352 is then applied to a monostable flipflop354 which then produces a short pulse which is passed through the diode356 and return line 323 to be carried to the computer 324. A short pulseon line 323 then indicates that a filling stop has occurred.

Similarly, warp stop sensor 334 applies a suitable electrical signal to.line 344 when this condition is sensed. The output on line 344 is thenconveyed to another logic gate 360 along with the output of theamplifier 340 so that an output signal on line 362 results only whengate 360 is enabled, i.e. only when the loom running sensor 330 detectsthat the loom is not running and the warp stop sensor 334 detects a warpstop. The

signal on line 362 is then applied to another monostable flip-flop 364which then produces a short pulse which is applied to the return line322 via diode 366.

In addition, warp out stops are sensed when warp out sensor 336 producesan output signal on 346. The signal on line 346 is then applied as aninput to logic gate 370 along with the output of amplifier 340, so thatthe output of logic gate 370 on line 372 causes monostable flip-flop 374to produce a short pulse which is conveyed to line 321 and hence to thecomputer 324 via diode 376.

The respective outputs of logic gates 350, 360, and 370 are then appliedto another logic gate 380 which produces an output signal if any of thethree gates are enabled so that the gate 380 is enabled if any of thethree stoppage conditions are sensed and the loom is not operating. Theoutput of the logic gate 380 on line 382 is then applied to anothermonostable flip-flop 384 which produces a short pulse if the gate 380 isenabled. This pulse is carried to the encoder 386 on line 388. Theencoder 386 then applies a potential to some of the address lines311-320 to create a binary pattern which identifies the loom stationsending the information. The computer 324 or manual operator thenreceives the address of the stopped loom on lines 311-320 as well as thereason for the stoppage on lines 321-323.

After the loom is back in operation the logic gates 350, 360 and 370will be disabled as will the logic gate 380. The output of amplifier 340is also applied through a delay network 390 to a logic gate 392 alongwith the output of the logic gate 380. This gate 392 is enabled onlywhen the logic gate 380 is disabled and when the amplifier 340 indicatesthat the loom is not operating. These two conditions are satisfiedbriefly after the loom starts and until the signal from amplifier 340passes through the delay circuit 390. When these two conditions aresatisfied, then the output of the logic gate 392 on line 394 causesmonostable flip-flop 384 to produce another short pulse on line 388 tocause the encoder 386 to once again apply the pattern of pulses on lines31 1-320 which identify the loom.

The computer or manual operator knowing that the stopped loom is notoperating can assume from receiving the address of the stopped loop asecond time that the loom is now operating. The computer will, ofcourse, be adapted to assume that the loom remains stopped until theloom number is received without corresponding information on lines321-323. However if the cause of loom stoppage was not one of threesensed causes, such as a mechanical failure, the gate 392 will cause theflip-flop 384 to produce a pulse and thus encode the address lines311-320 as soon as the loom stops. Since the address is not accompaniedby signals on return lines 321-323 the computer can assume a mechanicalfailure is taking. place. When the loom is restarted the computer 324will have to be'notified by manually encoded information as describedbelow or otherwise since the address will not be sent again uponrestarting.

The system is also adapted to supply manual stop information of the typewhich the loom fixer or other personnel might enter relating the type ofstop or the like. This information would be in the form of a codedsignal directly following the address which the loom sends uponrestarting. Information can be manually entered on encoder 396 while theloom is stopped, and when the loom starts again causing the address ofthe loom to be sent on lines 31 1-320, the output of the delay circuit390 also triggers a monostable flip-flop 398 which produces a shortpulse which is carried on line 399 to encoder 396 causing the encoder396 to apply the coded signal to lines 311-320 following the addresssignals which have been applied by encoder 396. Delay circuit 400 thenserves to clear the manual encoder 396. The computer 324 or manualoperator will know that such information can follow an address and willlook for it. Since loom addresses will be sent relatively infrequently,little confusion arises between addresses of other looms and manuallyencoded information.

Reference is now made to FIG. 7 which describes another embodiment ofthe invention whereby each of the loom station signals the computer onlyin the event that the loom with which it is associated stops. As in theembodiment shown in FIG. 6, and described above, the computer or manualoperator is a passive element in this system rather than playing anactive role, sequentially interrotaing the looms as in the embodimentsshown in FIGS. 1-4. As pointed out above, a passive arrangement resultsin a considerable amount of savings in computer time since, during anygiven period, far more looms will ordinarily be running than not.

In this embodiment, as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, there is noreal necessity to deal with the possibility of simultaneous notificationby more than one loom on the same respective lines since the informationas to stoppage can in fact be conveyed in a short span of time comparedto the average time between stoppages so that it is possible to use thesame common lines for all of the loom stations without frequentconfusion due to attempted simultaneous transfer of information.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, address lines 410 419 carry a binaryaddress signal in the same manner as the address lines 91-100 in FIG. 4and the address lines 311-320 in FIG. 6. However, in contrast to thesystem shown in FIG. 4 whereby the address signal carried on the linesserves to query the station so identified, requiring an answer as towhether the loom has stopped, lines 410 419 do not carry the address ofa stopped loom to the computer 422 in response to interrogation by thecomputer 422 but rather in response to the stoppage itself.

As in the embodiment shown and described in connection with FIG. 6, theaddress lines 410-419 carry the address of the stopped loom and replylines 423, 424 and 425 carry specific information relating to the causeof the stoppage. In addition, code lines 428, 429 and 430 carry codedinformation which may be manually entered by the operator, for exampleto notify the computer 422 that he has taken some affirmative action orhas recognized some special condition which needs to be dealt with in aspecial manner. Although only three loom stations, namely loom stations432, 434 and 436, are shown connected to the computer 422, the systemobviously can be used with many more looms merely by connectingadditional loom stations to the respective address, reply and code linesin the same manner as shown.

The operation of a loom station 432 will now be discussed in detail. Theloom running sensor label 440 produces an electrical signal whichindicates whether the loom is running or not. For this embodiment, itwill be assumed that the signal is simply a bilevel signal with onelevel indicating that the loom is running and the other that the loom isstopped. As set forth in connection with FIG. 4, the sensor, 440, canoperate by sensing the motion of a gear on the loom which rotates onlyduring operation. Alternatively, any suitable system for sensing whethera loom is in fact operating or not and producing a suitable electricalsignal can be used, for example a relay connecting a potential to theline 442, for example the 12 volts circuit of the loom, while the loomis running and disconnecting it whenever the loom ceases operating, orvice versa.

The electrical signal indicating whether or not the loom is operating isthen fed on line 442 via diode 444 to a monostable multivibrator 446which is of the type which responds to a change in the level of theinput signal level with an output pulse. Each stopping and starting ofthe loom associated with loom station 432 results in such a change inthe signal level applied to multivibrator 446 so that multivibrator 446responds to each starting and stopping by producing a single outputpulse of predetermined height and duration on line 447 regardless of themagnitude or duration of the signal input to multivibrator 446.Multivibrators of this type, such as multivibrator 446, are, of course,well known in the art and need not be described in detail.

The output of multivibrator 446 is then applied to the base of atransistor 450 on line 452. The collector of transistor 450 is connectedto a positive source of potential V via a resistor 454 while anotherresistor 456 connects the base and grounded emitter of the transistor450. The transistor 450 and the values of resistors 454 and 456 arechosen so that the transistor 450 is driven into conduction during thetime the pulse from multivibrator 446 is received at its base andremains in a state of non-conduction during the absence of such a pulse.

Whenever the transistor 450 begins to conduct, the collector oftransistor 450 shifts from a potential of V to approximately groundthereby changing the potential of the address lines connected to thatcollector so that a pulse is sent down those lines. The pattern ofpulses on some lines and none on others, representing the address of agiven loom station, is then determined by which of the address lines areconnected to the collector of transistor 450 and which are not so that,when the transistor 450 begins to conduct, a signal which can eitherindicate a binary zero or one is sent down those lines that are soconnected and no signal which represents the opposite digit on thoselines which are not so connected. Thus for loom station 432, lines 411,412, 414, 415, 416 and 419 are connected to the collector of transistor450 via isolating diodes of 460, 461, 462, 463, 464 and 465. If thepresence of a signal on a given line is interpreted as a binary one, theaddress of loom station 432 reading from bottom to top would be0110111001 or 441 expressed in base 10. This station address is thenimpressed on address lines 410 to 419 as described, whenever the loomsensor 440 senses that the loom has either stopped or started.

The apparatus shown in FIG. 7 is also capable of indicating to thecomputer whether the cause of stoppage is due to a warp stop or afilling stop. If a warp stop occurs, the warp stop sensor 474 producesan electrical signal which is suitable to trigger another monostablemultivibrator 476 which then responds by producing a pulse of a givenamplitude and duration which is then conveyed to the logic gate 478 vialine 480 along with the output of multivibrator 446 on line 481.However, multivibrator 476 only responds to the change in signal.indicating a warp stop and does not produce a pulse when the warp stopcondition ceases to exist. Logic gate 478, which may be a NAND gate,responds to the temporal coincidence of the pulses from multivibrators446 and 476 with a suitable signal indicating that a warp stop hasoccurred. Since it is possible to sense a warp stop 20 to 300milliseconds before the loom stops depending on the position of the loomwhen the warp breakage occurs with the result that the pulse frommultivibrator 476 may occur before the pulse from multivibrator 446, itis desirable that the pulse produced by multivibrator 476 be ofsubstantially longer duration than the signal produced by multivibrator446. A duration of about 0.5 second has been found satisfactory for thepulse produced by multivibrator 476. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7,NAND gate 478 responds to the coincidental presence of both pulses bygrounding line 424 via diode 482. Line 424 is connected to the computer422 so that the computer 422 upon receiving, at the same time, anappropriate signal on line 424 and an address of a particular loomstation can assume that that station is undergoing a warp stop.

Similarly, filling stop sensor 496 produces a suitable electrical signalto trigger monostable multivibrator 498, producing an electrical pulseof a given pulse and duration, whenever a filling stop is sensed. Thispulse from multivibrator 498 is then conveyed to logic NAND gate 499 online 500 at approximately the same time that the pulse output ofmultivibrator 446 is also applied to logic gate 499 on line 502. Since afilling stop may be sensed somewhat before a stop is, it is alsodesirable that the duration of the pulse produced by multivibrator 498exceed substantially the duration of the pulse produced by multivibrator446. The output of logic gate 499 on line 504 is then applied to theline 425 and then to the computer 422 via isolating diodes 506. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 7, NAND gate 499 then responds to thecoincidental presence of the two pulses by producing a suitable signalindicating that a filling stop is occurring, for example by groundingline 425. From the receipt of a loom address and a signal on line 425 atthe same time, the computer recognizes that a filling stop is occurringon the identified loom.

Whenever the loom restarts, the loom sensor 440 again shifts its outputsignal level and line 442 once again causing the multivibrator 446 toproduce another pulse identical to the pulse'produced when the loomstopped. The transistor 450 once again enters a state of conductionwhich continues as long as the pulse persists, grounding the appropriatelines among the address lines 410 419 so that a binary signal patternrepresenting the address of loom station 432 is once again conveyed tothe computer 422. Since the computer 422 is aware that the loom isstopped, it recognizes that the receipt of this further signal-meansthat the loom so identified is once again running normally.

Although not necessary, it is desirable that the signal indicating astart and the signal indicating a stop be different so that the computer422 can correct itself in the event one signal is missed. In thisembodiment, this difference is provided by the presence of a signal online 423 only when the loom starts. This is accomplished by connectingthe output of the multivibrator 446 and of the sensor 440 to a logicgate 507 which responds with an output signal only when the output pulsefrom multivibrator 446 is received coincidentally with an output ofsensor 440 indicating that the loom is running. These two signals areproduced at the same time only after the loom restarts and not uponstopping so that a signal applied on line 423 via diode 508 gives thecomputer reassurance that the loom identified from the pattern onaddress lines 410-419 has restarted.

After the loom has stopped, it is possible to encode information ontothe manual encoder 510 which indicates to the computer either thatcertain action had been taken or that a certain condition is present. Inthe embodiment shown in FIG. 7, seven possible coded information signalscan be sent to the computer on lines 428, 429 and 430 by rotating athree-pole 8 position switch 511 which is conventionally wired for octalto binary conversion to one of the eight possible positions. The threemanual encoding lines 428, 429 and 430 are each connected to four of thepositions on each individual switch 512, 513 and 514 as shown, sothat'in each different position to which the switch 511 can be rotatedthe wipers 515, 516 and 517 are connected or not connected to adifferent combination at lines 428, 429 and 430. Isolating diodes 520,522 and 524 connect the switches 512, 513 and 514 to the appropriate.lines 428, 429 and 430.

The information which has been encoded on switch 511 is then sent to thecomputer automatically when the loom restarts or manually closing aswitch 530 which, for example, may be of the push-button type. Theclosing of switch 530 connects the positive potential of V to the inputof the monostable multivibrator 446 so that the address of loom 432 issent to the com puter to 422 in the same manner as if the loom had juststopped or restarted. Since the voltage at the input of multivibrator446 changes when the switch 530 is closed only when the loom is stopped,closing the switch while the loom is running has no effect. Noaccompanying signal on line 423 is received by the computer 422 so nopossibility of interpreting the receipt of the address as a startexists.

The closing of switch 530 also connects the positive potential V to alogic gate 532, for example a NAND gate, along with the output ofmonostable multivibrator 446 so that when an output pulse is produced online 447, the output of NAND gate 532 on line 534 assumes a lowpotential, for example ground. The grounding of line 534 grounds thewipers 515, 516 and 517 and some or all of the lines 428, 429 and 430depending on the position in which switch 511 is set so that aninformation signal is carried to the computer 422.

Similarly, the logic gate 532 responds to the starting of the loom bygrounding line 534 and thereby sending the appropriate informationsignal down lines 428, 429 and 430. When the loom, in the embodimentshown in FIG. 7 starts, the output of loom sensor 440 shifts to a highlevel triggering multivibrator 446 so that both inputs to logic gate 532are high with the result that gate 532 grounds line 534. However, whenthe loom stops the level of the output of sensor 440 shifts to a lowlevel to which gate 532 does not respond and no signals are sent downlines 428-430.

One three-pole switch can encode eight numbers, or seven if zero isomitted. If more information codes are desired three more wiresconnected to another three pole switch can be added to provide a totalof 64 numbers. More numbers can be made by adding additional wires andswitches in the same manner.

Reference is now made to FIG. 8 which shows a multi-level addressingsystem for use in an interrogation system such as described in the aboveembodiments and to FIG. 9 which shows in detail a master station for usein a system such as illustrated in FIG. 8. In the system FIGS. 8 and 9in contrast to the embodiments of FIGS. 1-7, the individual loomstations are associated in groups and the groups are organized intomaster groups. If, at any time, it is necessary, or desirable toaccommodate a larger number of stations to an existing system, thesemaster groups can themselves be organized into even larger groups andthis form of organization can be extended as far as desired toaccommodate any necessary growth in the system. The number of units ineach group at any level is, of course, governed by the length of thelevel address, and it has been found convenient to use a four-digitbinary address and correspondingly four lines to each level, eachcarrying one binary digit.

Referring to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8, three first levelmaster stations 600, 602 and 604 are shown attached to the first leveladdress cables 606 and it will be understood that normally at leastseveral other first level stations will be attached to cable 606 in thesame fashion. In this particular embodiment, four lines, each capable ofcarrying one binary digit, preferably comprise the first level addresscables 606, and thus up to master stations, such as 600, 602 and 604 canbe attached to the first level cables 606.

Each master station, for example, station 600 which is illustrated indetail in FIG. 9, is made up of decoder circuitry and logic circuitry,station 600 including decoder circuitry 610 and logic circuitry 612.Decoder 610 responds to a binary address on first level cables 606 byproducing an output on line 614 which causes logic circuitry 612 to passa following or essentially simultaneous address on the second levelcables 616 to the set of master stations, including stations 618, 620and 622, which are among the second-level master stations associatedwith the first-level master station 600. Thus each of the stationsconnected to the master firstlevel station 600, of which station 618,620 and 622 are illustrated in FIG. 8, receives the output of logiccircuitry 612, which is the address transmitted from computer 624, onsecond-level cables 616.

Each of the stations 618, 620, 622 and the other stations associatedwith the master station 600 are preferable identical in construction tomaster stations 600, 602 and 604 and, as shown in FIG. 8, master station618 is similarly comprised of decoder circuitry 626 and logic circuitry628. As in station 600, decoder 626 responds to one particular addresstransmitted through logic circuitry 612 from the second-level cables616. When the address of station 618 corresponds to the addresstransmitted through logic circuitry 612, then decoder 626 produces asignal on output line 630 which is transmitted to logic circuitry 628which then permits the third-level address on cables 632 to betransmitted through logic circuitry 628.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 8 a group ofindividual machine data stations, such as shown in FIGS. 4, 6 and 7, areassociated with each of the second-level master stations 618, 620 and622. Three machine stations 640, 642 and 644 are shown associated withthe second level master station 618 so that when logic circuit 628 isactivated by an output on line 630 to pass the address, promulgated bythe computer or other operator down line 632, to line 650 and to each ofthe machine stations 640, 642 and 644 the machine station so identifiedresponds by transmitting the data back to the computer or other recorderon separate line 651 as in the embodiment of FIG. 4 or in any othersuitable manner.

Thus the first address transmitted down cables 606 designates one masterstation, for example, master station 600. The second address transmitteddown the second-level cables 616 is passed through the master station soidentified to a plurality of similar secondlevel master stations whichreceive the second-level address only when the master station above themhas been enabled in response to the first address on cables 606.Finally, the master station, which is identified by the address on thesecond level cables 616 permits the address on the third level cables632 to be passed through it to a group of machine station which areassociated with that second level master station and the machine stationso identified by the signal on thirdlevel cables 632 responds in thefashion discussed above.

FIG. 9, inparticular, shows master station 600 which is typical of themaster stations illustrated in the system, including stations 600, 602,604, 618, 620 and 622. In FIG. 9, the first-level cables 606 arecomprised of four individual cables 652, 654, 656, and 658 which eachcarry a binary digit from computer 624 or other interrogating device oroperator. A ground level might indicate one binary digit and a positivevoltage, for example, of five volts might indicate the other. Each ofthe lines 652, 654, 656 and 658 is connected to conventional inverters660, 662, 664 and 666. Associated with each of the conventionalinverters 660, 662, 664 and 666 are pairs of manually operable orpermanently fixed ganged switches 670, 672, 674 and 676 respectively. Asin the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 4, these switchescan be opened and closed in a unique pattern which will provide that allfor inputs to NAND gate 680 from the outputs of the inverters 660, 662,664 and 666 will be at a one level only when the pattern of high and lowlevels on input lines 652, 654, 656 and 658 uniquely represent theaddress of station 606. Thus, NAND gate 680 will produce a zero" outputonly when all of the four input conditions are one and this occurs onlywhen station 600 is being addressed.

The output of NAND gate 680 on line 682 is then inverted by aconventional inverter 684 and the output of the inverter 684 istransmitted as one of the two inputs to each of the NAND gates 686, 688,690 and 692. Each of the NAND gates 686, 688, 690 and 692 also receivesone of the four binary digits making up the address transmitted by thecomputer or manual operator 624 at the level immediately below the levelof the address received by the inverters 660, 662, 664 and 666. In theembodiment of FIG. 9, inverters 686, 688, 690 and 692 receive thesecond-level cables 616 of FIG. 8 comprising lines 700, 702, 704 and706. Thus, none of the NAND gates 686, 688, 690 or 692 produces anoutput until the decoder 610 responds to an address on first-levelcables 606. The output of NAND gates 686, 688, 690 and 692 is invertedby conventional inverters 710, 712, 714 and 716 respectively so that theoutput of logic circuitry 612 on lines 720, 722, 724 and 726 is the sameas the signals on lines 700, 702, 704 and 706 when the decoder 610 hasresponded to an address which matches the address set in the decoder 610by the pattern of open and closed switches 670, 672, 674 and 676.

This particular arrangement has been found to be particularlyadvantageous as an addressing system since it utilizes fewer wires inthe interconnecting cabling and fewer gates in the decoding circuitry ofthe machine station. Moreover, it is adaptable for systems of any sizeand an expansion of an initially small system is especially simple.Since only four address inputs are required for each station instead often as the embodiment illustrated above, one hex inverter normallyrequired in those embodiments is eliminated and the internal wiring ateach machine station is substantially simplified. While the masterstations do initially appear to add to the total number of assembliesrequired for a given installation, this is not determinative since, inan embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 4, address amplifying stations foreach group of 12-16 machine stations are frequently employed in order tomake sure that each station receives a suitable address signal to whichit can respond.

The above embodiments are merely examples of the invention and manymodifications and changes are possible without departing from the scopeof the invention. The invention can be practiced with many other typesof machines and is not intended to be limited to textile machines.Accordingly, the scope of the invention is limited only by the scope ofthe appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A textile machine operation sensing system for conveying datarelating to the condition of a given textile machine from each textilemachine to recording means comprising:

a plurality of coding lines connecting each textile machine to eachother textile machine and to said recording means for carrying codedaddress signals, each said coded signal representing a particulartextile machine,

coding means for producing said address signals'and applying saidaddress signals to said coding lines,

a plurality of condition sensing devices associated with said machinesfor producing electrical signals containing information on the conditionsensed,

encoding means associated with each said station for receiving manuallyentered information,

means for connecting said encoding means to said recording means,

at least one return line connecting each textile machine to each othertextile machine and to said recording means, for carrying at least someof said electrical signals, and

logic means associated with each textile machine and connected to saidreturn line for applying said electrical signals to said return lineapproximately at the time said coding means produces an address signalcorresponding to the address of the textile machine with which saidlogic means is associated.

2. A system as in claim 1 wherein said textile machine is a loom andwherein said plurality of condition sensing devices includes a firstcondition sensing device associated with each loom for producing a givenelectrical signal if the loom is operating, a second condition sensingdevice associated with each loom for producing a given electrical signalif a warp stop is occurring, a third condition sensing device associatedwith each loom for porducing a given electrical signal if a filling stopis occurring and a fourth condition sensing device associated with eachloom for producing a given electrical signal if a warp out stop isoccurring.

3. A system as in claim 2 including a first return line for carryingsignals produced by said first device, a second return line for carryingsignals produced by said second device, a third return line for carryingsignals produced by said third device, a fourth return line for carryingsignals produced by said fourth device, and logic means connected tosaid first, second, third and fourth return lines for disregarding thesignals on said second, third and fourth return lines unless the signalreceived on said first line indicates said machine is not operating.

4. A system as in claim 1 further including at least a single manualencoding line connecting each said manual encoding means to saidrecording means and to each other of said manual encoding means.

5. A system as in claim 1 including a plurality of said manual encodinglines each carrying a binary digit.

6. A system as in claim 1 wherein said manual encoding means includes aganged switch having an individual switch associated with each saidmanual encoding line for connecting or disconnecting that line to asource of voltage to indicate the binary digit encoded on that line.

7. A textile machine condition sensing system for conveying electricalinformation signals produced by a plurality of condition sensing devicesassociated with a plurality of textile machines to interrogating meanscomprising:

a plurality of address lines connecting each machine to each othermachine and to said interrogating means for carrying coded addresssignals from said interrogating means, each said address signaldesignating a particular machine which is to reply,

decoding means associated with each said machine and connected to saidaddress lines for producing a given electrical output signal when saidaddress signal designates that the machine is to reply,

at least one return line connecting each machine to each other machineand to said interrogating means for conveying said electricalinformation signals from said condition sensing devices to saidinterrogating means,

encoding means associated with each said station for receiving manuallyentered information,

means for connecting said encoding means to said recording means, and

logic means associated with each said machine and connected to saidreturn line for applying said electrical information signals to saidreply line when said decoding means produces said given output signal.

8. A system as in claim 7 wherein said address signal is a binary signaland each said address line carries a digit of said binary addresssignal.

9. A textile machine in combination with the system of claim 7.

10. A system as in claim 8 wherein said textile machine is a loom, oneof said devices is associated with each loom and said one of saiddevices produces a first electrical signal while the loom with which itis associated is operating, and a second electrical signal while theloom with which it is associated is not operatmg.

11. Asystem as in claim 10 wherein a second of said devices isassociated with each loom and said second of said devices produces afirst electrical signal if a filling stop is occurring and a secondelectrical signal if a filling stop is not occurring, a third of saiddevices is associated with each loom and said third of said deviceproduces a first electrical signal if a warp stop is occurring, and asecond electrical signal if a warp stop is not occurring, and a fourthof said devices associated with each loom and said fourth of saiddevices produces a first electrical signal if a warp out stop isoccurring and a second electrical signal if a warp out stop is notoccurring.

12. A system as in claim 7 further including addressing means forapplying said coded address signals to said coding lines and whereinsaid addressing means includes a source of electrical potential, and aplurality of switches having an open and closed position and each saidswitch having one side connected to said source and the other side toone of said address lines so that the electrical potential of saidsource is applied to the address lines connected to the closed switches,thereby forming a binary pattern on said address lines.

13. A system as in claim 7 further including means for recording thesignals on said return line and wherein said recording means includes alight bulb attached to each said return line so that a first light bulbis lit when said first signal is applied to said first return line, asecond light bulb is lit when said second signal is applied to saidsecond return line, a third light bulb is lit when said third signal isapplied to said third return line, and a fourth light bulb is lit whensaid fourth signal is applied to said fourth return line.

14. A system as in claim 7 further including an apparatus for examiningelectrical information received on said at least one return line fromone of a plurality of textile machines, said information including afirst electrical signal from a first condition sensing device associatedwith said one machine indicating whether said textile machine isoperating or not operating and at least a second electrical signal fromat least a second condition sensing device associated with said onemachine indicating the cause of non-operation of said one machine whensaid one machine is not operating, comprising logic means connected tosaid return line for receiving said first and second signals and fordisregarding said second signal provided said first signal indicatesthat said machine is in operation.

15. A system as in claim 7 further including: a first condition sensingdevice associated with each machine for producing a first electricalsignal.

when the machine with which it is associated is operating and a secondelectrical signal when the machine with which it is associated is notoperating,

at least a second condition sensing device associated with each machinefor producing an electrical signal which indicates the cause ofnon-operation of the machine with which it is associated when thatmachine is not operating,

means connecting said at least single return line to said first andsecond devices, and

logic means connected to said return line and to said recording meansfor disregarding the signal received from said second device providedsaid first signal is received from said first device.

16. A textile machine as in claim 15 including a third condition sensingdevice associated with each said machine for producing a firstelectrical signal when a warp out stop is occurring and a secondelectrical signal when a warp out stop is not occurring, and a fourthcondition sensing device dissociated with each said machine forproducing a first electrical signal when a warp stop is occurring and asecond electrical signal when a warp stop is not occurring and whereinsaid machine is a loom, said second device produces a first electricalsignal when a filling stop is occurring and a second electrical signalwhen a filling stop is not occurring, and said logic means disregardsthe signals produced by said second, third and fourth devices andrecords that the machine is operating provided the signal received fromsaid first device indicates that said machine is in operation,disregards the signals produced by said fourth and second devices andrecords that a warp out stop is occurring provided that the signal fromsaid first device indicates that the machine is not in operation and thesignal from said third device indicates that a warp out stop isoccurring, disregards the signal received from said fourth device andrecords a filling stop provided the signal received from said thirddevice indicates that a warp out stop is not occurring, the signal fromsaid first device indicates the machine is not in operation and thesignal from said third device indicates that a filling stop isoccurring, records a warp stop provided the signal received from saidfourth device indicates a warp stop is occurring, the signal from saidfirst device indicates the machine is not in operation, the signal fromsaid second device indicates that a filling stop is not occurring andthe signal from said third device indicates that a warp out stop is notoccurring, and records a mechanical stop provided the signal receivedfrom said first device indicates the machine is not in operation, thesignal received from said second device indicates that a filling stop isnot occurring, the signal received from said third device indicates thata warp out stop is not occurring and the signal from said fourth deviceindicates that a warp stop is not occurring.

1?. An information gathering system for conveying data from a pluralityof data gathering devices at a plurality of stations having a binaryaddress to an interrogating system which produces binary signals, eachof which is associated with a single station, comprising:

means for conveying said binary signals to each said station,

address decoding means at each station which produce a given outputsignal only when the binary signals received correspond to the addressof the station,

encoding means at each said station for receiving manually encodedinformation,

first logic means associated with said station to cause said datagathering devices to convey said data to said interrogating means onlywhen said decoding means produces said given output signal, and

second logic means for conveying said manually encoded information tosaid interrogating means.

18. A method of interrogating a plurality of textile machines eachhaving a plurality of condition sensing devices comprising the steps of:

addressing each of said machines sequentially so that informationsignals from said devices are conveyed to recording means whenever amachine is interrogated, and

manually encoding information onto a manual encoder so that theinformation in said encoder is conveyed to said recording whenever amachine is interrogated.

19. A method of conveying information from one of a plurality of textilemachines to recording means comprising the steps of:

manually encoding information relating to the operation of said machineonto a manual encoder associated with said one machine, and

addressing each of said plurality of textile machines so that saidinformation is conveyed to said recording means whenever said onemachine is addressed.

20. A loom condition sensing system for conveying data on the conditionof a given loom from a plurality of loom stations, each said stationbeing associated with one of said plurality of looms to recording meanscomprising:

a plurality of address lines connecting each station to each otherstation and to said recording means for carrying address signals, eachaddress signal being identified with a different loom station,

a loom running sensor associated with each said loom station for sensingwhether or not a loom is operating and for producing an electricalsignal having a first state when the loom is operating and a secondstate when the loom is not operating,

a plurality of other sensors associated with each said station forsensing the cause of loom stoppage and producing electrical signalscontaining information relating to the cause of said stoppage,

a plurality of coded signal lines connecting each said station to eachother station and to said recording means for carrying coded signalsmanually applied relating to the condition of said station,

encoding means associated with each said station for applying saidaddress signals to said lines,

a plurality of return lines connecting each station to each otherstation and to said recording means for carrying electrical informationsignals relating to the cause of loom stoppage to said recording means,

a manual encoder for applying a coded signal to said coded signal lines,and

logic means associated with each said station and electrically connectedto said encoding means,

Lil

said manual encoder, said loom running sensor, and said other sensorsfor causing said encoding means to apply said address signal to saidaddress lines when said given machine stops, for applying saidinformation signals to said return lines when said encoding meansapplies said address to said address lines, for causing said encodingmeans to apply said address signal to said address lines when said givenmachine starts, and for causing said manual encoder to apply said codedsignal to said coded signal lines after said encoding means applies saidaddress signal to said address lines.

21. A textile machine operation sensing system for conveying datarelating to the condition of a given textile machine from each machineto recording means comprising:

a plurality of master stations each connected to said recording means bya pluraltiy of first level lines,

a plurality of textile machine stations associated with each said masterstation, and connected to said recording means by a plurality of secondlevel lines via the associated master station,

manual encoding means at each said textile machine for receivingmanually encoded data,

means at each said master station for permitting the textile machinestations associated with that master stations to receive on said secondlevel lines an address identifying one of those textile machine stationsonly when that master station receives on said first level lines anaddress identifying that master station, and

means at each said textile machine station for transmitting informationto said recording means when that textile station receives an addressidentifying it on said second level lines.

22. A system as in claim 21 further including a plurality of secondmaster stations each connected to said recording means by a plurality ofthird level lines so that each of said second master stations hasassociated with it a plurality of the first master stations, those firstmaster stations being connected to said first level lines via theassociated second master station and means at each second master stationfor permitting the first master stations associated with that secondmaster station to receive on said first level lines an addressidentifying one of those first master stations only when that secondmaster staton receives on said third level lines an address identifyingthat second master stations.

23. A system as in claim 21 wherein each said master station includes adecoder means for receiving an address from said first level lines andfor producing a given output signal only when the address received isthe address of that station and logic means for receiving the address onsaid second level lines and said given output signal and for passingsaid address'on said second level lines to the textile machine stationsassociated with that master station only when said given output signalis received by said logic means,

24. A system as in claim 23 wherein each said address is a binary numberwith each line carrying one digit, wherein each said decoding meansincludes a plurality of inverters for each receiving a digit of saidbinary number on said first level lines, a plurality of switchesassociated with said inverters and having an open and closed position sothat the pattern of open

1. A textile machine operation sensing system for conveying datarelating to the condition of a given textile machine from each textilemachine to recording means comprising: a plurality of coding linesconnecting each textile machine to each other textile machine and tosaid recording means for carrying coded address signals, each said codedsignal representing a particular textile machine, coding means forproducing said address signals and applying said address signals to saidcoding lines, a plurality of condition sensing devices associated withsaid machines for producing electrical signals containing information onthe condition sensed, encoding means associated with each said stationfor receiving manually entered information, means for connecting saidencoding means to said recording means, at least one return lineconnecting each textile machine to each other textile machine and tosaid recording means, for carrying at least some of said electricalsignals, and logic means associated with each textile machine andconnected to said return line for applying said electrical signals tosaid return line approximately at the time said coding means produces anaddress signal corresponding to the address of the textile machine withwhich said logic means is associated.
 2. A system as in claim 1 whereinsaid textile machine is a loom and wherein said plurality of conditionsensing devices includes a first condition sensing device associatedwith each loom for producing a given electrical signal if the loom isoperating, a second condition sensing device associated with each loomfor producing a given electrical signal if a warp stop is occurring, athird condition sensing device associated with each loom for producing agiven electrical signal if a filling stop is occurring and a fourthcondition sensing device associated with each loom for producing a givenelectrical signal if a warp out stop is occurring.
 3. A system as inclaim 2 including a first return line for carrying signals produced bysaid first device, a second return line for carrying signals produced bysaid second device, a third return line for carrying signals produced bysaid third device, a fourth return line for carrying signals produced bysaid fourth device, and logic means connected to said first, second,third and fourth return lines for disregarding the signals on saidsecond, third and fourth return lines unless the signal received on saidfirst line indicates said machine is not operating.
 4. A system as inclaim 1 further including at least a single manual encoding lineconnecting each said manual encoding means to said recording means andto each other of said manual encoding means.
 5. A system as in claim 1including a plurality of said manual encoding lines each carrying abinary digit.
 6. A system as in claim 1 wherein said manual encodingmeans includes a ganged switch having an individual switch associatedwith each said manual encoding line for connecting or disconnecting thatline to a source of voltage to indicate the binary digit encoded on thatline.
 7. A textile machine condition sensing system for conveyingelectrical information signals produced by a plurality of conditionsensing devices associated with a plurality of textile machines toInterrogating means comprising: a plurality of address lines connectingeach machine to each other machine and to said interrogating means forcarrying coded address signals from said interrogating means, each saidaddress signal designating a particular machine which is to reply,decoding means associated with each said machine and connected to saidaddress lines for producing a given electrical output signal when saidaddress signal designates that the machine is to reply, at least onereturn line connecting each machine to each other machine and to saidinterrogating means for conveying said electrical information signalsfrom said condition sensing devices to said interrogating means,encoding means associated with each said station for receiving manuallyentered information, means for connecting said encoding means to saidrecording means, and logic means associated with each said machine andconnected to said return line for applying said electrical informationsignals to said reply line when said decoding means produces said givenoutput signal.
 8. A system as in claim 7 wherein said address signal isa binary signal and each said address line carries a digit of saidbinary address signal.
 9. A textile machine in combination with thesystem of claim
 7. 10. A system as in claim 8 wherein said textilemachine is a loom, one of said devices is associated with each loom andsaid one of said devices produces a first electrical signal while theloom with which it is associated is operating, and a second electricalsignal while the loom with which it is associated is not operating. 11.A system as in claim 10 wherein a second of said devices is associatedwith each loom and said second of said devices produces a firstelectrical signal if a filling stop is occurring and a second electricalsignal if a filling stop is not occurring, a third of said devices isassociated with each loom and said third of said device produces a firstelectrical signal if a warp stop is occurring, and a second electricalsignal if a warp stop is not occurring, and a fourth of said devicesassociated with each loom and said fourth of said devices produces afirst electrical signal if a warp out stop is occurring and a secondelectrical signal if a warp out stop is not occurring.
 12. A system asin claim 7 further including addressing means for applying said codedaddress signals to said coding lines and wherein said addressing meansincludes a source of electrical potential, and a plurality of switcheshaving an open and closed position and each said switch having one sideconnected to said source and the other side to one of said address linesso that the electrical potential of said source is applied to theaddress lines connected to the closed switches, thereby forming a binarypattern on said address lines.
 13. A system as in claim 7 furtherincluding means for recording the signals on said return line andwherein said recording means includes a light bulb attached to each saidreturn line so that a first light bulb is lit when said first signal isapplied to said first return line, a second light bulb is lit when saidsecond signal is applied to said second return line, a third light bulbis lit when said third signal is applied to said third return line, anda fourth light bulb is lit when said fourth signal is applied to saidfourth return line.
 14. A system as in claim 7 further including anapparatus for examining electrical information received on said at leastone return line from one of a plurality of textile machines, saidinformation including a first electrical signal from a first conditionsensing device associated with said one machine indicating whether saidtextile machine is operating or not operating and at least a secondelectrical signal from at least a second condition sensing deviceassociated with said one machine indicating the cause of non-operationof said one machine when said one machine is not operating, comprisingLogic means connected to said return line for receiving said first andsecond signals and for disregarding said second signal provided saidfirst signal indicates that said machine is in operation.
 15. A systemas in claim 7 further including: a first condition sensing deviceassociated with each machine for producing a first electrical signalwhen the machine with which it is associated is operating and a secondelectrical signal when the machine with which it is associated is notoperating, at least a second condition sensing device associated witheach machine for producing an electrical signal which indicates thecause of non-operation of the machine with which it is associated whenthat machine is not operating, means connecting said at least singlereturn line to said first and second devices, and logic means connectedto said return line and to said recording means for disregarding thesignal received from said second device provided said first signal isreceived from said first device.
 16. A textile machine as in claim 15including a third condition sensing device associated with each saidmachine for producing a first electrical signal when a warp out stop isoccurring and a second electrical signal when a warp out stop is notoccurring, and a fourth condition sensing device dissociated with eachsaid machine for producing a first electrical signal when a warp stop isoccurring and a second electrical signal when a warp stop is notoccurring and wherein said machine is a loom, said second deviceproduces a first electrical signal when a filling stop is occurring anda second electrical signal when a filling stop is not occurring, andsaid logic means disregards the signals produced by said second, thirdand fourth devices and records that the machine is operating providedthe signal received from said first device indicates that said machineis in operation, disregards the signals produced by said fourth andsecond devices and records that a warp out stop is occurring providedthat the signal from said first device indicates that the machine is notin operation and the signal from said third device indicates that a warpout stop is occurring, disregards the signal received from said fourthdevice and records a filling stop provided the signal received from saidthird device indicates that a warp out stop is not occurring, the signalfrom said first device indicates the machine is not in operation and thesignal from said third device indicates that a filling stop isoccurring, records a warp stop provided the signal received from saidfourth device indicates a warp stop is occurring, the signal from saidfirst device indicates the machine is not in operation, the signal fromsaid second device indicates that a filling stop is not occurring andthe signal from said third device indicates that a warp out stop is notoccurring, and records a mechanical stop provided the signal receivedfrom said first device indicates the machine is not in operation, thesignal received from said second device indicates that a filling stop isnot occurring, the signal received from said third device indicates thata warp out stop is not occurring and the signal from said fourth deviceindicates that a warp stop is not occurring.
 17. An informationgathering system for conveying data from a plurality of data gatheringdevices at a plurality of stations having a binary address to aninterrogating system which produces binary signals, each of which isassociated with a single station, comprising: means for conveying saidbinary signals to each said station, address decoding means at eachstation which produce a given output signal only when the binary signalsreceived correspond to the address of the station, encoding means ateach said station for receiving manually encoded information, firstlogic means associated with said station to cause said data gatheringdevices to convey said data to said interrogating means only when saiddecoding means produces said given output signal, and second logic meansfor conveying said manually encoded information to said interrogatingmeans.
 18. A method of interrogating a plurality of textile machineseach having a plurality of condition sensing devices comprising thesteps of: addressing each of said machines sequentially so thatinformation signals from said devices are conveyed to recording meanswhenever a machine is interrogated, and manually encoding informationonto a manual encoder so that the information in said encoder isconveyed to said recording whenever a machine is interrogated.
 19. Amethod of conveying information from one of a plurality of textilemachines to recording means comprising the steps of: manually encodinginformation relating to the operation of said machine onto a manualencoder associated with said one machine, and addressing each of saidplurality of textile machines so that said information is conveyed tosaid recording means whenever said one machine is addressed.
 20. A loomcondition sensing system for conveying data on the condition of a givenloom from a plurality of loom stations, each said station beingassociated with one of said plurality of looms to recording meanscomprising: a plurality of address lines connecting each station to eachother station and to said recording means for carrying address signals,each address signal being identified with a different loom station, aloom running sensor associated with each said loom station for sensingwhether or not a loom is operating and for producing an electricalsignal having a first state when the loom is operating and a secondstate when the loom is not operating, a plurality of other sensorsassociated with each said station for sensing the cause of loom stoppageand producing electrical signals containing information relating to thecause of said stoppage, a plurality of coded signal lines connectingeach said station to each other station and to said recording means forcarrying coded signals manually applied relating to the condition ofsaid station, encoding means associated with each said station forapplying said address signals to said lines, a plurality of return linesconnecting each station to each other station and to said recordingmeans for carrying electrical information signals relating to the causeof loom stoppage to said recording means, a manual encoder for applyinga coded signal to said coded signal lines, and logic means associatedwith each said station and electrically connected to said encodingmeans, said manual encoder, said loom running sensor, and said othersensors for causing said encoding means to apply said address signal tosaid address lines when said given machine stops, for applying saidinformation signals to said return lines when said encoding meansapplies said address to said address lines, for causing said encodingmeans to apply said address signal to said address lines when said givenmachine starts, and for causing said manual encoder to apply said codedsignal to said coded signal lines after said encoding means applies saidaddress signal to said address lines.
 21. A textile machine operationsensing system for conveying data relating to the condition of a giventextile machine from each machine to recording means comprising: aplurality of master stations each connected to said recording means by aplurality of first level lines, a plurality of textile machine stationsassociated with each said master station, and connected to saidrecording means by a plurality of second level lines via the associatedmaster station, manual encoding means at each said textile machine forreceiving manually encoded data, means at each said master station forpermitting the textile machine stations associated with that masterstations to receive on said second level lines an address identifyingone of those textile machine stations only when thaT master stationreceives on said first level lines an address identifying that masterstation, and means at each said textile machine station for transmittinginformation to said recording means when that textile station receivesan address identifying it on said second level lines.
 22. A system as inclaim 21 further including a plurality of second master stations eachconnected to said recording means by a plurality of third level lines sothat each of said second master stations has associated with it aplurality of the first master stations, those first master stationsbeing connected to said first level lines via the associated secondmaster station and means at each second master station for permittingthe first master stations associated with that second master station toreceive on said first level lines an address identifying one of thosefirst master stations only when that second master station receives onsaid third level lines an address identifying that second masterstations.
 23. A system as in claim 21 wherein each said master stationincludes a decoder means for receiving an address from said first levellines and for producing a given output signal only when the addressreceived is the address of that station and logic means for receivingthe address on said second level lines and said given output signal andfor passing said address on said second level lines to the textilemachine stations associated with that master station only when saidgiven output signal is received by said logic means.
 24. A system as inclaim 23 wherein each said address is a binary number with each linecarrying one digit, wherein each said decoding means includes aplurality of inverters for each receiving a digit of said binary numberon said first level lines, a plurality of switches associated with saidinverters and having an open and closed position so that the pattern ofopen and closed positions of said switches corresponds with the addressof that master station and the output of all of said inverters is thesame when the address on said first level lines is the address of thatmaster station, and logic gate means for receiving the outputs of all ofsaid inverters and producing a first output when all of the outputs ofsaid inverters are the same and wherein said logic means includes aplurality of second logic gates each having said first output as a firstinput and having a digit of said binary number on said second levellines as a second input so that said second logic gates pass said binarynumber of said second level lines to said textile machines stationsassociated with that master station only when said first output isreceived as said first input.